The Five Who Died After Lap-Band Surgery

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Beverly Hills brothers Julian and Michael Omidi, who once starred in the cable program "Dr. 90210," launched a lucrative business through weight-loss surgery clinics and the 1-800-Get-Thin media blitz.

Bruce Gifford/FilmMagic

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Beverly Hills brothers Julian and Michael Omidi, who once starred in the cable program "Dr. 90210," launched a lucrative business through weight-loss surgery clinics and the 1-800-Get-Thin media blitz.

Bruce Gifford/FilmMagic

Done right, the Lap-Band procedure is a proven, safe technique. But an ABC News investigation found that in the last three years, five patients have died after Lap-Band surgery at the Omidis' outpatient clinics.

Done right, the Lap-Band procedure is a proven, safe technique. But an ABC News investigation found that in the last three years, five patients have died after Lap-Band surgery at the Omidis' outpatient clinics. The Omidis don't do any of the surgeries themselves.

ABC News

Thousands of people signed up, including Cassie Gibbons, seen here before surgery, who lost more than 100 pounds and was later featured in 1-800-Get-Thin ads.

Thousands of people signed up, including Cassie Gibbons, seen here before surgery, who lost more than 100 pounds and was later featured in 1-800-Get-Thin ads.

Cassie Gibbons

John Faitro, the husband of Laura Faitro, says she was the victim of a substandard clinic with negligent doctors who botched the operation. The clinic says Laura had other health issues and the the laceration did not cause her death.

John Faitro, the husband of Laura Faitro, says she was the victim of a substandard clinic with negligent doctors who botched the operation. John, who is blind, says his wife was sent home in great pain. The coroner later found her liver had been lacerated. The clinic says Laura had other health issues and the the laceration did not cause her death.

John Faitro

Ana Renteria died 10 days after Lap-Band surgery at an Omidi clinic. The coroner determined her death was caused by "complications from laparoscopic gastric band placement" and hernia repair, with diabetes a contributing condition.

Ana Renteria died 10 days after Lap-Band surgery at an Omidi clinic. The coroner determined her death was caused by "complications from laparoscopic gastric band placement" and hernia repair, with diabetes a contributing condition.

Courtesy Renteria family

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Tamara Walter died three days after Lap-Band surgery at an Omidi clinic. Both Walter and Renteria were operated on by Dr. Atul Madan. An attorney for the surgery center said "no facts" connect either death to the surgery.

Kathryn Trepinski

Willie Brooks died 3 days after Lap-Band surgery at an Omidi clinic. The coroner listed cause of death as "peritonitis due to Lap-Band procedure."

Willie Brooks died three days after Lap-Band surgery at an Omidi clinic. The coroner listed the cause of death as "peritonitis due to Lap-Band procedure due to obesity." An attorney for Michael Omidi and the clinic said that nothing in a lawsuit filed by the Brooks family suggests clinic conditions contributed to the death and that any gastric tear might have occurred post-operatively.

Brooks Family

Paula Rojeski died on the operating table at an Omidi clinic, triggering investigations by federal and state officials. ABC News has learned that homicide detectives are investigating the possibility that a crime was committed.

Paula Rojeski died on the operating table at an Omidi clinic, triggering investigations by federal and state officials. ABC News has learned that homicide detectives are investigating the possibility that a crime was committed.

Marni Rader

Dyanne Deuel, who headed the medical support staff at an Omidi clinic, has filed suit against the Omidis, alleging substandard conditions. The Omidis say they maintain the highest standards, and that Deuel is making things up to help her suit.

Dyanne Deuel, who headed the medical support staff at an Omidi clinic, has filed suit against the Omidis, alleging substandard conditions. This photo was submitted as part of her suit. The Omidis say they maintain the highest standards, and that Deuel is making things up to help her suit.

Alexander Robertson

Cassie Gibbons, who was featured in 1-800-GetThin ads, has had second thoughts. "If any of those families lost someone because of me, my apologies are from the bottom of my heart, because I would never want anyone to lose anyone over this."

Cassie Gibbons, who was featured in 1-800-GetThin ads, has had second thoughts. "If any of those families lost someone because of me, my apologies are from the bottom of my heart, because I would never want anyone to lose anyone over this."

ABC News

The Los Angeles Times was hit with a series of lawsuits after reporting on 1-800-Get-Thin. An attorney representing the firm sued columnist Michael Hiltzik, accusing him of secretly recording their conversations. A judge dismissed the suit.

The Los Angeles Times was hit with a series of lawsuits after reporting on 1-800-Get-Thin. An attorney representing the firm sued columnist Michael Hiltzik, accusing him of secretly recording their phone conversations. Hiltzik denies recording the calls. A judge dismissed the suit.